May Day's ancient origin as a celebration of the earth's fecundity and the beginning of summer and its modern incarnation as an international worker's day may not seem to have much in common. But they are linked by the rise of industrial capitalism, which has on the one hand uprooted masses of people from the land and its cycles and sustenance, and on the other forced most people to depend on an alienating system of wages, rents, interest and profits that benefits a relative few. Movements throughout history, from the Diggers in England to the early socialist comunes to the 60's counterculture to the radical environmental movement have in various degrees combined a return to direct connection to the land with a resistance to the alien system of Capital.

An enthusiastic and well-attended "Bioregional Confluence" in Portland this past Sunday brought together people from around Cascadia to meet and attend panels on a wide range of subjects. At lunch, the assembly brought back to life, after many years without a Bioregional gathering in this region, the tradition of regional or "watershed" reportbacks. Some of those attending will call in with the issues they are working on in their areas. Listeners who attended or who have issues of their own they are working on are encouraged to call in at 503-231-8032. We hope to make this at least a semi-regular feature of KBOO Public Affairs programming.

Guests Judy Goldhaft and Emmalyn Garrett (aka Lumen) are on hand to talk about thefFirst annual Cascadia Rising: A Bioregional Confluence - A gathering dedicated to promoting bioregional awareness, Indigenous solidarity, alternative and horizontal governance tools, and community resilience in the Pacific Northwest. The event was held at Portland State University on April 20, 2014.

Host Per Fagereng speaks with former CIA analyst Ray McGovern about a variety of issues related to U.S. foreign policy including: THE REAL DEAL ON SYRIA...Why Were We Inches Away From War Last Summer?; Ukraine: One ‘Regime Change’ Too Many?: and Is Obama Afraid of the C.I.A.?
Ray McGovern leads the “Speaking Truth to Power” section of Tell the Word, an expression of the ecumenical Church of the Saviour in inner-city Washington. A former co-director of the Servant Leadership School (1998-2004), he has been teaching there for 15 years.

Once a hot topic of passionate discussion, the question "Reform or Revolution?" seems to have lost its relevance and punch. Sounds kinda quaint and archaic. Does "Revolution" mean anything in the age of Portlandia? Can we imagine anything outside the box of constituted legal institutions? Can we yet shake ourselves from our mental conditionintg and feelings of powerlessness and detachment in the face of accelerating Disaster? Can we find common ground despite the hyper-individualization we've been socialized into? My God, doesn't anyone care??? Sorry, got carried away. Well, tune in and if you've got something to say, call in. 503-231-8187.

Paul Roland talks with Ron Seifert of the Tar Sands Blockade in Texas. They discuss criticisms of the No KXL movement and different approaches to confronting fossil fuel expansion and the climate crisis. They are also joined by Gregory Vickery of The Wrong Kind of Green.

Students at Portland State University are planning a walkout this week in support of their teachers, who have reached an impasse in their contract negotiations with the university administration. KBOO's Jenka Soderberg will speak with teachers and students, and take your calls.

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Do you have to be rich to be a philanthropist? What is the best way to balance out the haves and the have-nots in our own neighborhoods? Our guest is local broke philanthropist David Yandell, who is trying to hook up Emanuel Hospital's pediatric patients with stuffed animals for the holidays.

Drop off Toys for David's Program at the Gas Station at 400 West Burnside.

Portlanders will have a rare and important opportunity to ask City Council to improve oversight and policies of the Portland Police Bureau. Join Lisa Loving for Wednesday Talk Radio with guest Dan Handelman of Portland Copwatch talking about what's on the table regarding police accountability and what you can do to have an impact on the issue.

Read Dan Handelman's guest commentary on this topic, with links to the City's police accountability proposal as well as the City Auditor's proposal, here.

Host Lisa Loving asks" What is an "ecodistrict," and how can it fuel the local economies in communities of color--and the wider society? Her guests are Marcelo Bonta, Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Diversity and the Environment and Alan Hipólito, Executive Director of Verde, which just announced the first independent ecodistric in Portland.

"Mythic in its proportions, ‘Gem of the Ocean’ travels to 1904, when slavery was a living memory and African Americans were searching for a new life within the uncertain meaning of freedom." Have you seen the play? Call in with your thoughts, 503-231-8187.

Also in the studio today are Charles Robertson, Amber Baker, and Michelle Hannah from The Village Market at New Columbia Villa.

Per Fagereng guest hosts. His topics include the supposed Iranian plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador. He also speaks with Malik Rahim, community activist from New Orleans who is here at the Salem occupation.

Today's guest is Paul Chappell, a war veteran, peace activist. Today – how to stop the wars? Chappell speaks in Portland Wednesday and Friday nights, on 'Why Peace is Possible in a Post-9/11 World." Call in 503-231-8187. Find out more about Chappell's work at http://www.paulkchappell.com/ .

Paul will also be visiting individual classes at PCC-Rock Creek, Lincoln High School, Leadership & Entrepreneurship (LEP) High School and Portland Lutheran School. Recruiter Watch and Military & Draft Counseling Project have been helping with outreach to high schools.